1.- A cowardly braggart in traditional Italian comedy that serves as the unscrupulous and unreliable servant. The common theme of this stock character type is his affinity for intrigue, which lands him in precarious situations. He will usually manage to extricate himself, primarily by chance, leaving an innocent victim to bear the brunt of the consequences of his follies.

2.- A historical book by Rafael Sabatini later adapted to stage

This is whom Freddie Mercury was referencing in the Queen song "Bohemian Rhapsody".

Derived from, and often mistaken for, "Scaramuccia", which is Italian for "skirmish".

If the current financial crisis were a Commedia dell'Arte, the American Investment Bankers and CEOs would play the part of Scaramouches, and the working class the victims of their follies.